After a long time between issues of this e-newsletter (“TOO long, according to both of the people who actually read it) I'm back and loaded for bear with a bunch of really terrific new arrivals at all price points. So many new items that I had to break this up into 2 issues. The second part will be coming soon. Er, probably.

Hold Fast to DreamsA week ago my neighbor called me up.

“Hey Dave – do you want to go to a concert?” I asked - “Where and when?”“It's next weekend at my home,” he said.“Um ... what?”He said, “I invited one of my favorite groups to play a concert at my home, and they accepted”. I asked: “What group?”He said: “You've never heard of them. They're a rock band from Scotland called, 'The Trashcan Sinatras'”. I said - “I HAVE heard of them. I have a couple of their songs on my play list as a matter of fact [as an aside to my readers: do a search for 'Trashcan Sinatras - Hayfever' on YouTube. Good song].

We went. It was exactly as advertised. They performed a concert for about 50 people inside his home. A memorable evening was had by all.

That event brought back wistful memories of when I was a little kid. My favorite group back then was Grand Funk Railroad (this was the mid-70's), and I harbored fantasies of writing them a letter and inviting them to play a concert in my back yard. Now at the time they were selling out Shea Stadium and the like so they probably wouldn't have accepted. But I'll never know because I didn't ask. Unlike my neighbor – and for that, he is my hero.

We must all hang on to that childlike sense of wonder. That's one reason why many collect coins in the first place. If I ever lose that 12 year old kid's view of the world, just put me out to pasture and force me to collect stamps or something, because some of the joy in my life will have vanished.

Numismatics is one such strong connection to that childlike sense of wonder. If we are really, really lucky that will stay with us the whole of our lives.

Now On to the NewP's

As in my previous newsletters, these coins are the items I have gathered over the last few weeks. The plan is to upload all these coins to my website. In the meantime, readers of this newsletter will be the very first to lay eyes on these offerings. By popular demand, I've included photos of the coins where I have them.

The “Making the Grade” Featured Coin

1839/8 Eagle. PCGS graded AU58.Type of 1838 – A dramatically different two year type, and quite difficult to find. Only a handful of specimens have been graded higher, including the magnificent MS66 specimen last sold in 2005 for $400k. This specimen is a rich lemon gold, with no distractions or detractions. It has been off the market since the early 1990's. $16,500.

1797 Draped Bust Half Dime. PCGS graded VF25, CAC.16 Stars. Choice, even gray color on this scarce small eagle type half dime. Nearly impossible to find in choice condition, as this coin is, because they are so prone to damage and mishandling. In fact, this is the only VF25 CAC has saw fit to verify from either grading service. $5000.

1854 Seated Half Dollar With Arrows. NGC designated 'Shipwreck Effect', From the S.S. Republic.Now to put it rather bluntly, most silver coins recovered from the bottom of the ocean look like crap. There: I said it. But this coin is a remarkable exception. It is hard to tell it has been in the water at all. Includes a wooden presentation box and an accompanying booklet. $450.

1889 Gold Dollar. PCGS graded MS66+ CAC.Help me out here. What did Benjamin Graham's book on markets tell us? Was it buy low and sell high, or was it the other way around? Can't recall. Well, whatever the correct strategy was, perhaps ol' Ben would think buying this CAC'd, super high grade, low mintage gold type coin at under $2k is a good deal. $1800.

(ca. 1840) . Bechtler Dollar. PCGS graded MS61 CAC.27 grains, 21 Carats. A choice specimen of this popular pioneer gold coin. Well struck with lovely prooflike surfaces. This coin was minted at the residence of Christopher Bechtler. The Bechtler coinage was well regarded in its day and provided much needed circulating coins in the Carolina region. If you think finding scarce PCGS CAC'd gold in today's market is easy, you have got another thing coming, buddy. PCGS # 10040. $6500.

1861-1865 – Hoard of RED Civil War Tokens. With Original Civil War Era Newspaper NGC graded MS65 Red & NGC MS64 RedNow here's something you don't see every day. The story of this find began a few years ago when a dealer in Massachusetts (since deceased, sadly, as he was a terrific guy) came across a group of full blazing red Civil War Tokens. Not just a little bit red or subdued red, but full screaming mint red beauties that look just like freshly made Lincoln cents. I had heard about this find, but never knew what became of it. That is, until I came across it at a major show recently. I snapped up the whole group of course. Interestingly, it came with a group of civil war era newspapers. Not photocopies mind you, but actual original newspapers. There are 3 different categories of civil war tokens available for purchase:

(1861-65) Civil War Token. Indian in Headress Obverse/”Our Army” reverse. F51/334a. NGC graded MS64 Red. Includes an original newspaper of the era... $365.

(1861-65) Civil War Token. Indian in Headress Obverse/”Our Army” reverse. F51/334a. NGC graded MS65 Red. Includes an original newspaper of the era...$495.

1863 Civil War Token. Indian in Liberty Cap Obverse/”Our Army” reverse. F15/319a. NGC graded MS64 Red. Includes an original newspaper of the era... $395.

One of each (total = 3 tokens and 3 different newspapers)... $1150.

1863 Civil War Token. NGC graded MS65 BN.Liberty and No Slavery. F36/340A. Yet another Civil War Token, though not originating from the above hoard. Very attractive coloration, and with a popular anti-slavery theme. $225.

1936 Bridgeport Commemorative Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS65.A choice, original coin depicting the colorful character PT Barnum. Comes with the original box of issue, which is quite attractive in it's own right, actually. $395.

1936 Delaware Commemorative Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS66 CAC.A gorgeous coin with tab toning. Ever wonder where “tab toning” like this comes from? Wonder no more; this coin comes with the original envelope and presentation card of issue, which displays those all important tabs. $650.

1936 Norfolk Commemorative Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS67 CAC.Comes with the original Norfolk presentation card of issue. Once again – this is where an original commem is born and raised. $495.

(1660-1662) Great Britain Two Pence. PCGS graded AU55. Spink-3310. King Charles II. Of exactly the same era as the 1662 Pine Tree Twopence, and sometimes collected alongside of them by colonial coin collectors. A perfect light gray in color, and could just as easily graded mint state. This coin comes with PCGS TrueView Images. $1975.

1739 Netherlands Duit. PCGS graded MS66 BN.West Friesland. PCGS #363941.66/27925846. There is a rumor going around (started by me, just now) that the Nike Corporation got the idea for their famous slogan, “Just Do It” by looking at this very Duit. OK, after you recover from the belly laugh you just enjoyed from reading that hilarious joke, please take a moment to examine the image & then order this coin (the coin is absolutely beautiful, and it deserved a better write-up than I just gave it). $375.

1821 Guatemala One Real. PCGS graded MS63.I have handled this coin before. It is making a return trip because the owner upgraded the one in his his set to a beautiful MS65. You just can't beat the look of this prooflike, spectacularly toned specimen, however. $695.

Exonumia, Flotsam & Jetsam

"1652" (1850s) Oak Tree Twopence. Wyatt Copy in Silver. PCGS graded MS-63.Noe-OB, Kenney-6, W-14030. Really high grade for one of these, essentially as struck and showing good frosty luster over lightly toned golden-gray surfaces. An unusual piece that was never worn in an attempt to pass it as genuine. Ford never obtained an example. Wyatt purposely made the obverse somewhat off center to imitate the genuine coins. This is one of only 2 specimens graded by PCGS in any grade so far and the finer of the two; it comes with a PCGS CoinFacts image. Listed on the Noe plates as a counterfeit. $875

1792 Contemporary Counterfeit 2 Reales. Very Fine [uncertified].Kleeberg 92B-L10. Struck in copper. Nicknamed the “Quasimodo Head” by Mike Ringo, who owned the only other specimen I am aware of (a lower grade coin sold in June, 2009 by Stack's and plated in Kleeberg's study). This coin is basically as struck, with details purposely missing to simulate wear. They did a good job, as the coin is charmingly, crudely turd-like. $595.1804 Contemporary Counterfeit 2 Reales. Fine [uncertified].Unlisted in John Kleeberg's groundbreaking study. Tentatively given the K-04B-L20 designation by a previous owner (the late Mike Ringo) but accidentally overlooked in John Lorenzo's update, where another reverse was given the “L20” designation. So – whatever you choose to call it, it is undoubtedly rare (even by counterfeit 2 reales standards, where a typical variety is known by maybe 5-8 specimens). $375.

1818 Contemporary Counterfeit 2 Reales. Very Fine [uncertified].Kleeberg 18A-M14. Much of the silvering remains intact, and this coin is actually pretty close to the condition it was when it was struck. I am aware of only 1 other specimen, a lower grade example in the ANS museum, though there may be others. An interesting coin that combines the legend of one king, the portrait of another and a date of a different reign entirely. $495.

1819 Pillar Style Caracas Contemporary Counterfeit 2 Reales. Fine [uncertified].B.S. assayer. Brass. Slight wave to the planchet. To the best of my knowledge, there is no reference that catalogs these pieces. Suffice it to say they are quite rare. When I sold my extensive collection of maybe 100 different counterfeit two reales of the colonial and early American period, perhaps 4 or 5 of them were of this style. $195.

1841 Half Cent Electrotype. Proof [uncertified].This is a very well made copy of a Proof-only half cent, made from an Original. It is an even brown in color, has slightly reflective fields, squared off edge and a partial wire rim. Even the obverse die crack found on genuine specimens is visible on this specimen. $295.

1845 Half Cent Electrotype. Proof [uncertified].This is another very well made copy of a Proof-only half cent. It has a significant amount of “mint” red remaining, slightly reflective fields and squared off edges. With genuine specimens running into the thousands, these popularly collected electrotypes make a fine substitute in many cabinets, a purpose they have served for well over 100 years. $325.

1895 Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association Medal. Silver. Uncirculated, with Presentation Box [uncertified].A beautifully toned, prooflike medal that was obviously kept in it's plush, customized presentation case since the time of issue. Lusciously toned in blues and reds. Compare this to, say, the Barber proof coinage of the era and see which registers higher on your own personal “coolness” meter. $575.

Currency

Large Size Note $1 Series 1923 US Note. PCGS graded 65 Exceptional Paper Quality.Fr. #40. Speelman/White. The red seal jumps off the Paper. An exceptional example of this popular Large Size note. $1100.

$1000 Note. 1928 Federal Reserve Note. Chicago. PMG graded Very Fine-30.FR. #2210-G. Woods/Mellon. An always popular high denomination note. Impress your friends and co-workers, or use it to leave a super-generous tip; that is your right as an American. Note that there is an indication on the PMG tag that says, “pinholes” but since it is not in an “Apparent Grade” holder, I assume this is an explanation as to why this note didn't grade above VF30. $2000.